Signaling device



w l 2 n 3 3 A. P. JOHNSON S IGNALING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1943 INVENTOR. BY 4. Wm

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 10, 1944 SIGNALING DEVICE Alexander Parley Johnson, Dowiiey, Calif assignor to Focal Company, Downey, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 28, 1943, Serial No. 496,394

4 Claims.

This invention relates to illuminating devices and more particularly to portable lanterns, flash lights and the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a portable lantern which, through provision of novel, simple and inexpensive sighting and flash indicating means, may be employed for effectively transmitting messages or signals either at night or during the day.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel, simple and inexpensive sighting and flash indicating means for portable, electrically illuminated signaling devices.

These and other objects of the present invention. will appear as the following description thereof proceeds, and in order to more clearly understand said invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment thereof.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portable lantern embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional View on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the present invention is shown embodied in a portable lantern of the general type disclosed in the United States Patent No. 2,228,009 granted January 7, 1941, to Dwight L. Harford. This portable lantern includes a base and battery case 5 having pivotally mounted thereon as at 6 a U-shaped handle I. The handle 1 supports a reflector 8, a lens9, a lens retaining and guarding rim lo, a lamp H, and a suitable, manually operated switch l2 for closing the circult to the lamp ll whereby said lamp maybe used continuously for an appreciable time, or in an intermittent manner for transmitting messages or signals to a message or signal receiving point.

In accordance with the present invention, Simple and inexpensive means are provided for enabling an operator to properly sight or aim the portable lantern at a desired signal receiving point, and to simultaneously observe what signals are being transmitted. As herein shown said means are preiembly mounted and constructed as follows. Extending forwardly of the portable lantern and supported by the rim lD is a hollow, cylindrical hood l3 which is open at both ends and encloses the lens 9 to confine the light flashes in the direction of a desired signal receiving point. The hood 13 also provides an opaque field to enable visibility at all times of the signals; transmitted, particularly during daytime operation. The hood i3 is formed adjacent each end thereof with annular reeniorcing ribs l4 and IS, the rib l4, through engagement thereof with the rim It), also serving to hold said hood in proper position on the lantern and to prevent accidental displacement therefrom.

Secured to one side of the hood l3 exteriorly thereof as, for example, by rivets i6, is a lantern sighting or aiming tube I! which extends substantially the entire length of said hood. The opposite open ends of this sighting or aiming tube I! provides front and rear sights and, in addition, said tube provides an opaque field to enable the operator to simultaneously observe that the signals are being transmitted and what said signals are. For this purpose, the sighting tube ll is provided with a flash or signal indicating means in the form of a small rod or member 18 composed of any suitable light conducting material, such as, Tenite, Lucite, glass and the like. The rod or member I8 is secured in any suitable manher in the tube I, and has one end thereof communicating with the interior of said tube, and the opposite end projecting into the interior of the hood I3 through a suitable opening formed in said hood. The end of the rod or member i8 is bevelled as indicated at ill to receive the light rays emanating from the lamp ll and reflector 8. It will thus appear that the rays of light produced by the intermittent flashes of the lamp l I which is controlled by the switch l2 will strike the transparent member l8 and pass through said member, resulting in intermittent illumination of the interior of the sighting tube ll, thus indicating to the operator, simultaneously with sighting or aiming of the lantern, that the lamp i3 is functioning properly and what signals or flashes are being transmitted.

The hood I3, the sighting tube I1, and the transparent member l8 provides novel, simple and inexpensive sighting and flash indicating means for portable signaling devices, and which may be readily attached to portable lanterns of the type described now in use thus enabling the use of said lanterns for signaling purposes.

While one embodiment of the present invention is herein illustrated and described with more or less particularity, it is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable signaling device of the type having a. source oi light and a rcflector the combination of an open-ended opaque hood extending forwardly of said source of light and said reflector, an opaque sighting tube externally of said hood and providing at opposite open ends thereof front and rear sights for sighting the device with a signal receiving point, and a transparent light conducting member having one end disposed within said hood and the opposite end disposed within said tube for illuminating the latter in the same manner as said hood is illuminated upon operation of said device.

2. In a portable signaling device of the type having a source of light and a reflector, the combination of an open-ended opaque cylindrical hood extending forwardly of said source of light and said reflector, an opaque cylindrical sighting tube externally of said hood and extending substantially the entire length thereof, said tube being open at opposite ends to provide front and rear sights for sighting the device with a signal receiving point, and a transparent light conducting member projecting into the interior of said hood and said'tube for illuminating the latter in the same manner as said hood is illuminated upon operation of said device.

3. An attachment for use with a portable illuminating device having a lamp, a reflector, a lens, and a switch for eiiecting intermittent flashes of said lamp, comprising an opaque hood open at aeeonss opposite ends and adapted to be mounted on said device to enclose said lens, an opaque sighting tube o said hood externally thereof and open at opposite ends to provide front and rear sights for aiming said device at a desired point, and a transparent light conducting member having one end disposed within said hood and the opposite end disposed Within said tube whereby the flashes of the lamp can be observed by the operator while the eye is focused on the sighting tube upon operation of the device.

4. An attachment for use with a portable illuminating device having a lamp, a reflector, a lens, and a switch for effecting intermittent flashes of said lamp, comprising a cylindrical opaque hood open at opposite ends and adapted to be mounted on said device to enclose said lens, a cylindrical opaque sighting tube on said hood externally thereof and extending substantially the entire length of said hood, said tube being open at opposite ends to provide front and rear sights for aimingsaid device ata desired point, and a light conducting member projecting into the interior of said hood and said tube whereby the flashes of the lamp can be observed by the operator while the eye is focused on the sighting tube upon operation of the device.

A. PARLEY JOHNSON. 

